Environmental effects on zooplankton dynamics of a shallow Mediterranean coastal lagoon (October 2020–March 2021)

Abstract

Antinioti is a shallow Mediterranean coastal lagoon located on the island of Corfu in West Greece. For several years, the lagoon has been exploited for fish stocks by the local community. Therefore, the lagoon presents regional economic importance. However, studies on the physical, chemical, and biological properties of the lagoon are limited. Our study evaluates the effect of physical and chemical parameters on the zooplankton dynamics of Antinioti lagoon and establishes a reference for the level of biodiversity in terms of zooplankton. This initial biodiversity record will be useful in the case of a natural disaster (i.e. earthquake, tsunami, etc.) for the effective management, protection, and conservation of the lagoon. The lagoon was sampled between October 2020 and March 2021 to evaluate the correlation between physical and chemical parameters and zooplankton. Temperature and Salinity showed a significant positive correlation and BOD5 a significant negative correlation to zooplankton. The shallow lagoon’s zooplankton community and sustainability are therefore considered to be influenced by the seawater–freshwater fluctuations that are caused by atmospheric forcing (rainfall), tides, and river runoff.